sistermags

Thank you for your answers.I know Ocean Terminal as I stayed in the hotel Hong Kong several times and the Ocean Terminal led into the mall the hotel was in.  Hoping that's where it will dock.Hope the other one is as easy.

When the ships dock in Hong Kong and in Singapore,are you able to walk into town?

Thank you to dronnygirl and all who gave advice on my smoking question.

Hope you're having a brilliant time Scot born.

Mags

Hello Scotborn (me too)

I've just noticed you are off today.Have a wonderful time.

In case you do get my message.Could you please find out which decks you are allowed to smoke on.I feel like a broken record (remember them)as I have asked this question several times.I am on deck 12 and as an ex smoker I don't want to be near a smoking area as I can't stand the smell.I will be very grateful if you are able to find out. Going in February.

I'm sure that the smoking areas on the Explorer are on decks 12,? and 7.Not sure of the other.

The reason I don't want to be near the smoking area is precisely what Cloudyrain is saying.I have been in the next cabin to a smoker and it wasn't very pleasant sitting on my balcony with the cigarette smoke wafting over,and no it doesn't dissapate into the sky.

I am an ex smoker and haven't smoked for 25 years or more so I know the pros and cons.I would rather change deck than be next to a smoking area.

Anyway,thank you all once again for your input.

Like your sense of humour SausPud.Don't suppose it matters which side of the ship I'm on as I'm at the top of the ship anyway.

I'm more concerned about smoking on deck 12 and can't find out where the smoking area on deck 12 is. I'm not on face book so can't find out there.As a non smoker I don't want to be near the smoking area.

Can anyone tell me where the smoking area on deck 12 actually is?

We'll be on the Explorer next feb.We are in cabin 12008.Is this the correct side to get the sun?I've tried to work it out but directions have never been my strong point.I also understand that deck 12 has a smoking area......will our cabin be near there?

Have I made a mistake with this cabin?

Thank you in advance.

Have booked Explorer in Febuary 2019.We have booked a junior suite and are looking at deck 12 cabins 12008...12009.....12003....12002....12029.... 12026.Has anyone stayed in any of these cabins?

Would we be better off on deck 10?

Thank you

Hi All

I've changed our booking to Mango Bay.Our problem(?) now is.........we had to book a garden view room and some of the photos online don't really show a garden view,rather a street or car park view,even just a tree.I like to sit on the balcony and don't fancy being spotted from the street.We could get an ocean/sea view room but it will cost just over £1,000 extra,yes that is ONE THOUSAND POUNDS.as my husband says "that is our spending money".I would love a sea view room but at £1,000 I'll just sit on the beach and look at the sea.

So I think I shall email the hotel and ask if I can request a nice room.

Anyone got any thoughts on room numbers etc.?

Thanks again for your input.

Margaret

Hi SausPud

You're a star.Thanks for answering both queries.The smoking incedent happened 3 years ago and I was unsure if smoking was allowed at that time.

Make that rum a double.....I'm curious!!!

I only hope I can change my booking now.I'll let you know.

Mags

Hi so,ton saint

I think I'll take your advice and go for Mango Bay.We used the bus a few times when we stayed in the Gap.Got a bit lost on the way back from Bridgetown but a kind elderly lady walked us to the bus station and waited around till we got our bus.We couldn't believe she was so kind.

Hope you don't mind me jumping in:We've booked a junior suite on Explorer......are we better on deck 10 or deck 12?

On our last cruise on Celebration the person in the next cabin was smoking on the balcony.Are some balcony cabins allocated to smokers? It wasn't very pleasant sitting reading my book with cigarette smoke wafting over but I think I read somewhere that so many cabins (balcony?)were for smokers.

Thanks again.

MAGS

Thanks so,ton saint.

We want all inclusive on the west coast, but, the only 2 are Club Barbados Resort and Spa and Mango Bay.In fact these are the only 2 in St James at all.I know Tui/Thomson have other hotels in the area and the one I was looking is Crystal Cove.I keep going back to Mango Bay mainly because of the beach and because it's in Holetown,so not too far to walk to shops etc.

So my quandry is.....stay with Club Barbados or try for either Mango Bay or Crystal Cove.

We have only stayed in Barbados once before on the south coast at Oceans2. Even that is not in the mix this time.

I'm sure I'll come to a decision soon.

We have booked a Caribbean cruise with a stay in Barbados.There are 9 hotels available to choose from but only 2 are in St James on the west coast which is where we want to be.Both are A.I. which we also want.We booked The Club Barbados Resort and Spa but since we booked I have been swaying back and forth between this hotel and the other which is Mango Bay.I now realise I don't really want either but I would like another hotel that Thomson/Tui has on this coast.

Has anyone been able to do this?I don't want to phone Thomson,I would rather do it online.I have tried their chat line but can't get through.Has anyone any ideas?

This holiday is costing us a lot of money so I would rather get it right.We don't gotill next February.

Thank you for all your help.

Celebration has a choice of full board or all inclusive when you log in to the booking.

We have now booked our cruise/stay for Feb 2019.We were also able to book our seats in premium.......got two at the window row 4.So glad I came on to the forum otherwise all the window 2's might have been gone.Also got all inclusive and when choosing which ship would have been able to click onto all inclusive on Celebration,which I thought was only full board.

Thank you everyonefor your advice.

MARGARET

Hope I'm not taking over your post.I see Celebration is full board and the other ships.....Discovery 1and 2,and Explorer are all inclusive.Why should this be if they are all Marella cruises in the Caribbean?

Thank you all.Inow have a better idea.Wa used to the90 days and didn't know it had been changed.Hopefully we'llget the seats we want.

MARGARET

I have been reading some of the reviews on this page and think that you don't now have to wait 90 days to book seats on the plane.Is this right?Hoping to go premium in FEB 2019 and would like tog et theseats we want.

We are also going to Cyprus in August but have to wait 90 days to book these seats.I'm a bit confused.

MARGARET

That's it.Packing all done and suitcases waiting at the door for the taxi at 6.30 tomorrow morning to Birmingham airport.

A big thank you to all on cruise critic for all the tips and information.

Pensioncruiser; We might pass each other at the airport and never know it.I hope you and your wife have a lovely time.

MARGARET

Hi All

Just about finished packing,just my dresses and sandals to go in the case.Hubby has everything ready as well.We use packing cubes and think they're brilliant.Bought some for my daughter who was going to Croatia with her friends last year.,and the first thing they did when they came home was order some as well.

Well, must go and get some colour on my hair.Manicure and pedicure on Thursday......a christmas present from my other daughter,who,also wanted me to have my legs and other bits and bobs,waxed,but I think I'll make do with my trusty razor.

Can you tell i'm starting to get excited?

Hello all-afloaty

If you go on to seat guru and type thomson dreamliner in the search box,you'll get a plan of the plane.

There are 7 rows of seats in a 2-3-2 formation.Plenty of room for your legs and a very good entertainment system.The button on the wall is for dimming and lightening the window (no blinds ).

We go on Sunday from Birmingham and are really looking forward to our trip.We did the same 2 weeks last year,also on Celebration,but had a week in a hotel in Barbados,this year we're doing the 2 week cruise.

Hi Pensioncruiser

We've been in many lounges both free (before husband retired) and later paid with daughter,but I wasn't sure how this one worked.We always use fast track usually from Luton,can't believe the difference it makes.One of my pet hates is having to queue.

Another tip!!

I always take a brush like the ones a barber uses to clean the hairs off your neck,or a broad paintbrush would work as well..........to clean the sand from your sun lounger.It works a treat.

Thank you dab 1952.

Do I have to have some sort of card to get into the airport lounge?Or will my name be on a register of some sort?

Thank you also for the information on the pool changing rooms.I don't fancy dripping water all over the ship.